Communicating and Collaborating

July 5, 2014

When I think about someone techniques that exhibit great communicating skills would be my son. Michquel exemplify extra ordinary strengths in speaking to the public and his speaking ability. I often find myself asking him where he gets his speaking ability from, and he always answers it comes from God. I tend to agree with him because no one could perform the way he does without power from above. I have observed him speak and listen as he read his speech to me; something goes through me that I cannot explain. His voice articulates superior, his pitch knows just when to go up and down. It has the right timing. Furthermore he communicates with motions such as his hands moves in a flow. He walks as he elaborates most of the time; I am at awe with his speaking ability. He says I am nerves when I speak but one could not and cannot tell. Have you ever seen someone speak as though they turn the audience on and off with their communicating skills, well that describes his speaking and listening skills. He also listens excellent as well as he speaks, I suppose they go hand and hand. Michquel is a great storyteller which always capsules the audience attention. His sons love to hear him talk and the youngest son admires so much that he tries to be just like his dad. Nevertheless when he tells a story it makes you listen for hours and on hours you do not want to get up out of your seat for nothing. I suppose what's great about his storytelling his plot starts off interesting and it is like one of Alfred Hitchcock mystery short stories. He also has the confidence that he knows what he's talking about and don't need your reassurance for satisfaction. 

Professional Hopes and Goals

June 28, 2014

Reflecting on my professional hopes and goals in my preschool concerning my students and families...



My first hope in my preschool classroom that my school will provide a full time translator.
My second hope is to make sure all my children will understand diversity.
My third hope is to be able to speak fluent Spanish with my diverse students and their families.
My fourth hope is I am a very pleasant teacher to my diverse parents and demonstrates kindness, respect, and dignity to all.

My first goal is to practice speaking Spanish everyday.
My second goal is to include in my lesson plan weekly to teach all my numbers 0 through 10 in Spanish.
My third goal is to implement a program that the diverse families and Black families will learn to mingle together as one because now they are separate-by doing this it will show all families what they have in common or interest.
My fourth goal is help my school to offer classes all parents can learn to speak English and Spanish.



I enjoyed this class more and more weekly and I hate to see this class end so soon. Furthermore I learned much information from my colleagues that I can use daily in my personal and professional life.

June 21, 2014

• The name of “your” family’s country of origin

My family country of orgin is Portugese

• At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1. I will research the internet to find out the history of the country.

2. I will find history on the family.

3. I will find out the family native language.

4. I will discover the family religion.

5. I will discover out the family festivals and celebrates.

• A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

By researching the internet to find out the history of the country will help me to treat every fair, dignity, and respect without offending them and their culture. Also relating with the family regardless their interesting heritage. 

I will need to know if the family speak English or bilanguage or only speak their native language. Therefore if they only speak their native language then I will need a translator to help me speak with the family.

I need to know if the family celebrates Christmas and other holidays without offending them. I don't want to forced them to participate with us.

Furthermore I don't want to say or do anything to offend them in any way by being microaggression. 

Also I want to celebrate their native country with music and in all centers with their dolls and pictures on the wall and around the classroom of their culture.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

June 14, 2014

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

I recall many incidents of prejudice towards me and my dad, however, I recall one particular incident concerning one of my brother. I recall once going to the store with my brother James and the store owner. The store owner told my brother the cost of the items he had purchased and put out his hand for his money, therefore my brother gave him a $20.00 bill which call for change. The store owner placed the money in my brother hand and the next thing I noticed my brother slapped the store owner in the face. I could not believe my eyes then later my brother tells the store by catching him in his collar "The next time you feel by hands I will kill you". I later asked him why did you slapped and grab David in the collar? James said "Because his prejudice and faggot self got fresh with me; I don't play that stuff". 

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

I felt the incident oppressed the David the store owner by humilitan, belittle, and disrespect him in front of the all the witnesses in the store. The situation had to embarrassed him and make him ashamed. 

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?
I felt horrible and scared for the store owner, and thought for sure my brother was going to kill him, and if not he was going to go to jail. However, the owner did not call the police. Evidently this situation must had to take place but David was prejudice but not deserved to be treated so shaggy in front of all the people presence. 

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

I feel my brother would have to change for better greater equity because he is a muslin, hate white people, and mental disturb from vietnam war. Furthermore he has a kind and sweet spirit but telling him is wrong and even showing him is not enough, therefore only God has to come in and change his thoughts and beliefs. 

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

May 31, 2014

 

                     Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

 

• Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?
  I recall in the past detecting microagressions when I was at Subway on my lunch break but while I was there the owner and I were dialoguing in a conservation that left me feeling like that all black people were nothing and regardless what we had or will accomplishment in life we as a group of people still were at the bottom pole. As the conservation progress I would never had thought he felt this way about another race. We were talking respectful and politely as the conservation shifted he stated "You people are always trying to beat the system". And he even thought only Black people stole and White people did not. Regarding this thought the owner business was failing because a worker(s) was stealing from him. Another gentleman wanted to help save his business and only thing he asked him to let his manager and a worker go but he didn't want to because he believed a Black person stealing from him. However the man insisted on it and believe it or not those two White ladies were robbing him dead. He had this mentality that White people didn't steal only Black people. 
   

• In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people
  This week assignment allows me to look at life with caution, think, careful, and sensitive to other people before I speak. Most of time people talk before they think about what they are about to say. I know I have spoken and said the wrong things and ended up regretting what came out of my mouth. In doing this assignment it came to my mind how I had hurt a coworker feelings by saying you are a Black Mexican and the other present laughed and laughed until tears ran down her cheeks. I knew without a shadow of doubt I had don't a terrible thing to someone else expense. The gentlemen thought for a moment and they replied "Yes, you have never seen a Black Hispanic not Mexican"? He went to explain how was a Hispanic and the ethnicity of races and how you can hurt others feelings without knowing the correct terminology. I never knew there were a scientific name other than being ignorant or insensitive to others feelings. It is good to know the scientific name "microaggressions"

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

 

May 24, 2014

Their definition of culture

I interviewed my sister Jackie, daughter Michelle, and grandson Micah. 

Combination of the three of them defined cultural beliefs, the way of life, life style, the way you talk, live, where you from, family, eat, dress, sleep, and religion.

 

Their definition of diversity 

Diversity is culture, difference, music, relationship, affection, emotions, social, divergent, diverse, ethnicity, and age.

 

• Then reflect on the answers you received and ask yourself:
   
  • Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?
    Some of the culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received and examples.  I think the beliefs, family, religion, live, style, ethnicity, age, family, diverse, social, relationship, and age.
     

• Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?
  I believe there were no characteristics omitted because it was each interviewed person opinion.
•  
• In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?
  It has made me appreciate the difference in every person despite a person background, lifestyle, and beliefs. We as a society live in a world that makes a difference and that’s the uniqueness of every individual person.
   
   
   

My Family Culture

May 17, 2014


A description of the three items you would choose

(1) the Bible

(2) the Family Photos

(3) a Radio

How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

I would choose the three because the Bible is my life line and need it to continue my faith and walk with God. My family photos are dear to me because I need to carry and cherishes the members that were close to me. And the reason I chose a radio is because I can have the means of communication and listen to the news and music.

Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you

Once upon arrival and told I could only keep one personal item I would choose the Bible. Choosing the Bible because I may be in a country or family who do not believe in true, real, and only God, therefore I need to continue to have something to read and memorize scriptures. Furthermore since I am a missionary to the Lord I also can witness to diverse of people.

Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,

I am learned that every family serves some type of God but not exact same God I believe in and worship. Even if the person is atheism he serves some type of God because when we put any thing before him that's your God. Here in the state I live in now most diverse families do not go to church or serve idol gods. Also many culture differences may live a different way I do when serving God. Many cultures serve God in different stages and don't read nor study their Bible on a daily base.